Advertising apparatus.



No. 889,814 PATENTED JUNE 2, 1908.

w. J. sAwYER,

ADVERTISING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR.17. 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

'ATTOlP/VEYJ PATENTED JUNE 2, 1968 w. J. SA'WIER. ADVERTISING APPARATUS.

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APPLICATION FILED MAB-17. 1908.

PATENTED JUNE 2, 1908.

'W. I. SAWYER. ADVERTISING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION TILED MAR.17.1908.

I I i Fig.6.

WILLIAM JAMES SAWYER, OF WEMBLEY, ENGLAND.

ADVERTISING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2, 1908.

Application filed March 17, 1908. Serial No. 421,654.

' ,To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J AMES SAW- YER, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of The Gables, VVembley, in the county of Middlesex, England, electrical engineer, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Advertising Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for the display of advertisements and the like in the form more particularly of transparencies artificially illuminated, the principal object of the invention being to provide improved means whereby a series of advertisements may be exhibited automatically in succession Within the same space.

According to the present invention (which for the sake of convenience will be described with special reference to the display of trans parencies) each transparency is constituted by or forms part of a curtain or screen which is suspended from and capable of being rolled upon a separate overhead horizontal roller like an ordinary window blind, the curtain being alternately unwound from the roller and thus lowered so as to bring the transparency into exposure position and raised by being wound upon the roller so as to withdraw the transparency behind the upper part of the casing which serves to conceal the working mechanism of the apparatus from sight. This cycle of operations is repeated throughout the series of curtainsinsuccession.

The artificial illumination of the transparencies (when such illumination is employed) is controlled in coordination with the movements of the respective curtains in such manner that illumination continues only so long as an entire transparency remains stationary in exposure osition.

I do not imit myself to any particular source of power, but find it convenient to use an electric current, as this affords a ready means for applying electric lamps also,-and thus obtaining artificial illumination.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation partly diagrammatic showing the preferred form of the apparatus in eluding mechanism for controlling the sup ply of current to an electric motor and. electric lamps alternately. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the set of rollers shown in Fig. 1, while Fig.3 is a fragmentary plan View of part of the mechanism whereby said rollers are successively caused to rotate in opposite directions alternately. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively side and plan views of a portion of the controlling mechanism shown in Fig. 1, drawn to a larger scale. Fig. 6 is a plan view of another portion of the same mechanism. Fig. 7 is a side view of the fan showing mechanism for adjusting the effective length roller so that the curtains, while capable of.

hanging freely from their respective rollers as shown in the case of B Fig. 1, will ascend and descend in parallel vertical planes which are spaced the minimum practicable distance a art, one directly in front of another.

here a considerable number of transparencies (and therefore of curtains and rollers) are used, the headroom occupied by the apparatus may be economized (at the expense of depth) by the total number being divided into two or more series each similarly arranged one behind another. In the example illustrated the number of curtains and rollers is supposed to be twelve, these being comprised (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) in two series of six each arranged in the manner described.

Each curtain may be stretched flat by its lower edge being suitably weighted (as shown at b in the case of B, Fig. 1,), the weight insuring the prompt descent of the curtain when the roller is rotated in the corresponding direction. The several curtains with the stretching weights 1) are balanced by means of counterp oises 0 C etc. suspended preferably by tapes 0 which are wound upon barrels D D etc. at one end of the respective rollers, so that the curtains will'have no tendency to move, each roller remaining in any angular position wherein it may be left.

Each roller is positively rotated in both directions, the revolution of successive rollers being so coordinated that while one curtain is being wound up the next succeeding curtain will be in process of being lowered and which are wound two tapes 0 in opposite directions respectively, the free end of each tape being attached to a separate lever F or F F or F etc. and the respective levers being operated alternately at the proper moments, so that each, by pulling upon and unwinding the tape (2 attached to it, will rotate in the corresponding direction the roller to which it appertains, and thus raise or lower the corresponding curtain as the case may be.

The pairs of levers F F F ,F etc. appertaining to the respective rollers are all fulcrumed independently upon a common axis F and are guided in vertical planes by working between the bars of a comb-like frame F* the tapes 6 being guided by a similar frame The respective levers are operated at the proper times by means of cams G, G G G-* etc. mounted upon a shaft G which is rotated in one direction, each lever say, for example F being moved in the active direction by its cam G and being returned each by the tape 6 attached to it being drawn upon in consequence of being wound up upon its barrel E when the other lever F of the same pair is in turn moved in the proper direction by its cam G The several cams may (as shown) be constituted by arms fast upon the shaft G and adapted to contact, throughout the requisite arc, with anti-friction rollers f carried by the respective levers, the-cams being preferably combined in pairs (as indicated in Fig. 3) each serving to operate two adjacent levers whereby respectively one curtain is raised and the next succeeding curtain of the series is simultaneously lowered. In the arrangement illustrated the two end cams of the series are however single.

The various cams or arms G G G G etc. are placed side by side upon the shaft G opposite to the lever arms F, F, F F etc. carrying the anti-friction rollers f with which the cams contact, the levers themselves, and therefore also the tapes 6, being arranged side by side. Hence (with a view to avoiding the em loyment of a complex system of guide pulleys) it is necessary to arrange the barrels of the pairs E ,E etc. appertaining to the respective rollers A A etc. as nearly as may be in the planes of oscillation of the corresponding levers F F F F etc.- and therefore out of alinement with one another at progressively increasing distances from the common central vertical plane of all the curtains, with the result that the axes of successive rollers A A etc. of the series from below upwards, require to be made progressively longer. These barrels E E etc. (which may be termed the curtain-operating barrels) are preferably all placed at the same end of the apparatus, while the barrels D D etc. which support the counterweights C C etc. are placed at the opposite end and in order to accommodate the several counterweights and permit them to rise and fall freely clear of one another, the counter-weight barrels D, D etc. may also be placed out of alinem ent with one another by progressively lengthening the axes of the res ective rollers in the same manner as above c escribed with reference to the curtain-operating barrels. This arrangement is clearly shown in Fig. The illumination of the transparencies may be effected by means of lamps of any convenient kind placed behind the series of curtains. Preferably however, the light is derived from electric incandescent lamps the circuit through which is broken except during the time an entire transparency remains stationary in exposure position. When such is the case and particularly when (as is assumed in the case under consideration) the cam shaft is also driven by an electric motor supplied with current from the same source of electrical energy as the lamps, advantage may be taken of the fact that the periods of illumination of the transparencies and of their movement into and out of exposure position, never coincide, in order to economize current by shunting the current through the motor and lamps alternately. In order that this may be done, the motor shaft I may drive concurrently the shaft G already mentioned and also a second shaft H having a velocity higher (in the requisite ratio) than that of the first shaft G and carrying cams or fingers H H adapted to actuate, or control the movements of a switch J whereby the current is diverted from the circuit of the motor to that of the lamps and vice versa.

According to the preferred arrangement this switch is a two-way mercurial switch constituted by a pair of mercury cups f, j permanently in circuit, separately, with one pole of the source of energy through the motor and lam s respectively, and a twoarmed lever J 2 permanently in circuit with the other pole of the source of energy and pivoted at so as to be capable, of oscillating sufficiently to permit the arms J J 2 to dip alternatively into the respective mercury cups j The oscillation of the switch lever may be brought about, as indicated, by the pull exerted, in opposite directions alternately, upon cords j attached by one end to the res ective lever arms J J 2 and by the other enc to a pendulum lever K fulcrumed at 7c and carrying a block k which, on the completion of each vibration of the pendulum passes between and becomes ghtly spring-held by one or other of a pair of stationary elastic retaining jaws K K" as shown more clearly in Fig. 6.

For the purpose of causing the pendulum K to oscillate rapidly at the proper moments the pendulum lever has an upwardlyextending shorter arm K which is engaged and moved at intervals, in opposite directions alternately, by tappets L L whereof the one L is intermittently rotated by a spring (such as indicated at L) wound up at each descent of a curtain and released under the control of an escapement, while the other tappet L forms part of an elbow lever pivoted at Z and normally resting by gravity against a stop, the tappet L being operated by the free arm L of said lever being moved by a cam finger H on the shaft H already referred to.

The spring L is coiled about a fixed axis'Z to which one end of the spring is made fast, its other end being attached to a lever L pivoted upon the same axis. During the latter part of the descent of a curtain, the motor winds up the spring L in consequence of a second finger H fast on the shaft H encountering and moving the lever Lt which carries a spring-pressed pawl Z adapted, during such winding movement to slip idly over the teeth of a wheel Z in gear with a pinion Z fast on the axis of the tappet L The winding operation is completed by the time the transparency is brought to rest in exposure position, and at this moment the other finger H on the shaft H comes into operation to actuate that tappet L whereby the pendulum arm K is thrown over so as to break the circuit of the motor and close that of the lamps; the transparency, now brought to exposure position, being consequently illuminated. Simultaneously with the lighting of the lamps, the spring L, now wound up, is permitted (by unwinding itself) to begin driving the train of gearing Z Z whereby the other tappet L is brought into operation to again switch out the lamps and switch in the motor.

The tappet L rotates as one with a wheel L in gear with a pinion Z (of relatively small diameter) forming part of a train of gearing which serves to drive a fan L whereby the speed at which the spring L runs down is controlled, the wheei L having a gap in its toothed periphery so that the tappet L after being revolved somewhat slowly until brought into position to engage the pendulum arm K, is at the requisite moment allowed to move rapidly and thus throw the pendulum K over so as to break the circuit of the lamps and close that of the motor. Thereupon the cycle of operations recommences, the motor being re-started so that the transparency just exposed is withdrawn and a fresh one brought to exposure position, and the motor being thereafter stopped while this new transparency is illuminated.

Obviously, the period of exposure and illumination will depend upon the rate at which the spring L is allowed to run down so as to bring the tappet L actuated by it into position to engage the arm K, and any convenient means may be provided for enabling this rate or period to be regulated as may be desired, for example by adjusting the effective length of the blades of the fan L.

It will be obvious that at whatever point in thecycle of operations (in connection with any one curtain) the supply of electric energy may be cut off, the apparatus will always stop either during or just at the commencement of what may be termed the motor-operative period of said cycle, that is to say the stoppage of the apparatus must always occur while the motor circuit is closed at the switch J. As however, it might happen that (during a prolonged interval when the apparatus is out of use) the pendulum K might drop out of engagement with that pair of spring jaws K or K whereby it is held in position to close the motor circuit, means may be provided for preventing such an accident interfering with the automatic restarting of the motor on the subsequent closure of the motor circuit at the main controlling switch provided for starting and stopping the apparatus as a whole. For this purpose the shaft H, which rotates once during the cycle of operations in connection with each curtain,

may carry a switch arm M which, at the commencement of. the motor-operative period of a cycle, will be brought by the revolution of the shaft H into position to close, for

the time being, a shunt circuit passingthrough the motor, the source of energy, and the main controlling or starting switch. This shunt circuit may obviously be controlled by a separate hand operated switch. By this means, even supposing the circuit of the mo tor to be accidentally broken at the switchJ, it will be closed at the proper time and during the requisite interval through the switch M, so that on the main controlling switch being brought to the starting position, the motor will commence to work and will automatically bring about the rectification of the con ditions as regards the switch J.

The source of electrical supply is connected to the plug R, from which leads the wire V to one pole of the lighting apparatus S and a wire T leads from the other pole of the lighting apparatus to the mercury cup 3, the return wire W leading from the switch J, directly to the plug R, a branch wire X leads from the wire V through the motor to the" other mercury cup 3' It will be evident is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the motor will be connected with the current and the lighting apparatus will be disconnected.

The shunt circuit in connection with the switch arm M comprises a wire Y branched from the wire W and connected with the switch arm, and a wire Z branched from the wire X, between the motor and the mercury cup j and connected with a spring arm 2, the spring arm being adapted to be engaged by the switch arm once during each revolution of the shaft H, to close for the time being the shunt circuit passing through the motor.

Claims 1. The combination of a number of screens adapted to bear advertisements or the like, a number of rollers controlling said screens and so connected with said screens that the latter hang in vertical planes one directly in front of another, a pair of separate barrels for each roller, a pair of flexible connections wound in opposite directions upon-said barrels, a number of levers mounted side by side and movable about a common axis, said flexible connections being secured to said levers, said levers being arranged in pairs, and mechanism for actuating said levers in succession for the purpose of causin said curtains or screens to be alternately flowered into and raised out of a predetermined exposed position.

2. The combination of a number of screens adapted to bear advertisements or the like, a number of rollers controlling said screens and so connected with said screens that the latter hang in vertical planes one directly in front of another, a pair of separate barrels for each roller, a pair of flexible connections .wound in opposite directions upon said barrels, a number of levers mounted side by side and movable about a commom axis, said flexible connections being secured to said levers, mechanism forcausing said levers to oscillate, said levers being arranged in pairs, and mechan- 3. The combination of aplurality of rollers, each roller being provided with a pair of barrels, flexible connections wound oppositely upon said barrels, a screen connected with each roller and adapted to be wound thereupon and unwound therefrom, said barrels overlapping each other and spaced at progressively increased distances from the median line of the rollers, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a plurality of rollers, a screen partially wound upon each roller for the purpose of displaying advertising matter, a pair of barrels for each of said rollers, a flexible connection for each barrel, said flexible connections being arranged in pairs, and wound in opposite directions upon said barrels, levers connected with said connections for turning said barrels and said rollers, and a weight for counterbalancing each screen.

5. The combination of a plurality of rollers, screens mounted thereupon and adapted to be wound and unwound, a pair of barrels for each roller, a pair of flexible connections wound in opposite directions upon said barrels, levers connected with said flexible connections, and a plurality of cams arranged in predetermined positions relatively to each other for the purpose of actuating, in progressive order, said levers.

WILLIAM JAMES SATVYER.

WVitnesses:

H. D. JAMESON, F. D. RAND. 

